Bladder cancer and occupation: a report from the Belgian case-control study on bladder cancer risk

Am J Ind Med. 2007 Jun;50(6):449-54. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20469.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to add to the data on associations between occupation and bladder cancer thereby strengthening the case for focused research on specific occupational categories.

Methods: Two hundred two cases and 390 controls participated in this population-based case-control study. Age, sex, smoking, and education adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for each occupation by unconditional logistic regression.

Results: The occupational group of domestic helpers, cleaners, and launderers exhibited a significantly elevated risk of bladder cancer. Elevated non-significant risks (OR > 1.5) were observed for painters and varnishers, electronic equipment assemblers, general laborers, building finishers, carpenters and joiners, architects and engineers, and textile and garment workers.

Conclusions: This study suggests that domestic helpers, cleaners, and launderers probably experience an increased risk of bladder cancer. Although no other occupations showed significantly increased risks, the non-significantly elevated risks for painters, carpenters, and textile workers could be confirmed by results from earlier studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Belgium
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / epidemiology*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / etiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Causality
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology
  • Occupations / statistics & numerical data*
  • Odds Ratio
  • Risk
  • Smoking / epidemiology
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / etiology